Day 1

Upon arrival at the Windhoek Airport you will be welcomed by our representative who will present you with your travel vouchers and assist you with the collection of your rental vehicle. Continue to the capital city, Windhoek. The remainder of the afternoon is at leisure in Windhoek to view the historical landmarks of this cosmopolitan city or to do any last minute shopping for your tour. Windhoek is often described as a city with a "continental" atmosphere due to its architecture (historical buildings dating back to the German colonial rule), cuisine, culture, dress and educational institutions. Sidewalk cafes offer Namibian style breakfasts (Fruhschoppen), which can be enjoyed with a glass of sparkling wine or locally brewed draught beer. In addition to steak houses and coffee bars serving snacks, the city has a wide range of a la carte restaurants offering German, French, Taiwanese, Portuguese, Italian, African and Chinese cuisine. Overnight accommodation will be at the Terra Africa Guest House (similar) on a bed and breakfast basis only.

Day 2

Departure from Windhoek en route towards the southern Namib Region. Today's journey continues over the "Kupferberg Mountain Pass" before crossing the "Khomas Hochland Highland Region" on route towards the small farming community of Nauchas. From Nauchas descend the escarpment via the "Spreetshoogte Mountain Pass". This is one of Namibia’s highest and most spectacular mountain passes and provides exceptional views over the central Namib Desert. Continue from the small settlement of Solitaire in a southerly direction towards the Sesriem entrance to the Namib Naukluft Park and the Desert Homestead. This route runs parallel to the Namib Naukluft Park for most of the way except for a short corridor, which joins the plains of the Namib Desert to the Naukluft Mountain Range. This serves as a migratory corridor for the Oryx which migrate between their summer and winter feeding grounds. Late afternoon arrival at the Desert Homestead, for your overnight accommodation, (similar) on a dinner, bed and breakfast basis.

Day 3

This morning participate in an optional extra-guided excursion into the Namib Desert to the Namib "Sand Sea" and the Sossusvlei Dune belt. Sossusvlei is a word from Nama descent, which directly translated means a place with many endings. Many visitors to Namibia say that no part of the desert is more stunning than Sossusvlei, with its monumentally high dunes, the shadows of their sinuous crests continually changing as the day waxes and wanes. Gigantic star-shaped mountains of sand, the highest estimated at 325 m. The warm tints of the sand, ranging from pale apricot to brick orange and deep red, contrast vividly with the dazzling white surfaces of the deflationary clay pans at some of their bases. Your overnight accommodation is a the Desert Homestead (similar) on a dinner, bed and breakfast basis.

 Day 4

After breakfast, continue towards the coastal town of Swakopmund returning via Solitaire. From Solitaire continue travelling in a northerly direction running adjacent to the Namib Naukluft Park. This route crosses the gravel plains of the Namib Desert through the spectacular Gaub and Kuiseb Canyons before crossing the Namib Desert on route to the commercial harbour town of Walvis Bay. From Walvis Bay continue north between the coast and the dune belt to the coastal resort town of Swakopmund. Swakopmund is considered as Namibia's premier coastal resort and is a popular destination with Namibian's as a welcome respite from the heat of the interior. The town is also noted for its Old World charm and relaxed atmosphere. Founded in 1892 during the period of German colonial rule it served as the territory's main harbour for years. Today this quaint town nestled between desert and ocean is enhanced by lush green lawns, palm trees and carefully tended gardens. There is a good selection of restaurants and coffee shops selling traditional German cakes and pastries, while the coastline and the desert respectively offer many options for adventure or relaxation. Your overnight accommodation is at the Sea Breeze Guesthouse (similar) on a bed and breakfast basis.

Day 5

Today is spent at leisure exploring Namibia's premier coastal resort or the Namib Desert and coastal region. Optional excursion can also be included into the Namib Naukluft Park to view and experience the ancient "Welwitschia mirabilis" plants, the "Lichen Fields" found on the gravel plains and the erosion feature of the "Moon Landscape" in the Swakop River bed. An optional excursion may also be included to the harbour town of Walvis Bay to visit the lagoon or to participate in a Dolphin Cruise excursion. This excursion departs from the Walvis Bay Yacht Club in the morning. Your skipper will lead you through the commercial vessels docked at Walvis Bay harbour, Namibia's largest port, while clearing harbour port control. Passing the small craft harbour the central basin of the harbour is exited heading north, visiting Bird Island and providing spectacular scenes of the desert dune landscape enhanced by the contrast between the ocean and the dunes. Highlights of the excursion include close encounters with Cape Fur Seals and bow riding Dolphins while crossing the harbour mouth to Pelican Point. While drifting past seal colonies fresh oysters and sparkling wine can be enjoyed. Return to the Walvis Bay Yacht Club via the lagoon and flamingo colonies. If you are interested in the ocean, marine mammals or aquatic birds this would be the ideal opportunity to experience the Atlantic Ocean. Fresh Oysters, Sparkling wine, soft drinks and light snacks are served on board. Your overnight accommodation will be at the Sea Breeze Guesthouse (similar) on a bed and breakfast basis only.

Day 6

Early morning departure from Swakopmund in a northerly direction en route through the National West Coast Recreational Area towards the small fishing town of Henties Bay. An optional excursion today includes a visit to the Cape Fur Seal Colony at Cape Cross. In 1486, the first European to set foot on the coast of Namibia, Diago Ciao, erected a cross in honour of John 1 of Portugal at a site now known as Cape Cross 115 km north of Swakopmund. In addition to being of historical interest, Cape Cross has a breeding colony of Cape Fur seals. Shortly after Henties Bay continue in an easterly direction and crossing the "Gravel Plains" towards the abandoned mining town of Uis. The large-scale mining of tin began in Uis during 1951 but due to the mine no longer being profitable in was closed down in 1990. From Uis continue in a northerly direction towards the Damaraland Region. This route passes Namibia's highest Mountain Range. The Brandberg is 2573m at its highest point and renowned for the famous work of bushmen art, "the White Lady". Late afternoon arrival at the Twyfelfontein Country Lodge (similar) for overnight accommodation on a dinner, bed and breakfast basis.

Day 7

Whilst in the Twyfelfontein area, there is the chance to visit the Twyfelfontein Rock Engravings, one of the richest areas of rock engravings and Bushmen paintings in Namibia, and the geological formations of the "Burnt Mountain" and the dolomite columns known as the "Organ Pipes". Overnight accommodation will be at the Twyfelfontein Country Lodge (similar) on a dinner, bed and breakfast basis.

Day 8

Depart in an easterly direction en route to the Etosha Region. Today's route passes the small towns of Khorixas and Outjo. An optional excursion to the Petrified Forest, with approximately 50 examples of petrified trees dating back some 260 million years, can be included. From Outjo continue in a northerly direction towards the Etosha National Park. Entrance to the Etosha National Park is via the Anderson / Ombika Gate. Late afternoon arrival at the Okaukuejo Rest Camp. The rest of the afternoon can be spent game viewing. This evening can be spend game viewing at the floodlit waterhole. Your overnight accommodation at the Okaukuejo Rest Camp (similar) is on a bed & breakfast basis only.

Day 9

Enjoy a full day game drive through the Etosha National Park as you traverse along the southern boundary of Etosha Pan towards the eastern Namutoni Region. Note that each reservations office has an "animal sightings" book. Refer to this book as a guide before departing on your drives, this will assist you in locating the most recent sightings of game. The Etosha National Park has over 114 mammal species, 350 bird species and 21 vegetation types. The most common plains game species encountered include: Plain's Zebra, Springbok, Black-Faced Impala, Blue Wildebeest, Oryx, Giraffe and Red Hartebeest. The Etosha National Park also boasts healthy populations of Lion, Elephant and Black Rhino. Each camp in the park has a restaurant, a shop and a filling station. Purchase a map of the park to familiarize yourself with the waterholes in your area, as this is where you will be most likely to encounter the game. Your overnight accommodation at the Halali / Namutoni Rest Camps on a bed and breakfast basis only.

Day 10

Enjoy a full day of game drives through the Etosha National Park as you traverse along the southern boundary of Etosha Pan towards the eastern Namutoni Region. Note that each reservations office has an "animal sightings" book. Refer to this book as a guide before departing on your drives, this will assist you in locating the most recent sightings of game. The Etosha National Park has over 114 mammal species, 350 bird species and 21 vegetation types. The most common plains game species encountered include; plains zebra, springbok, black-faced impala, blue wildebeest, oryx, giraffe and red hartebeest. The Etosha National Park also boasts healthy populations of lion, elephant and black rhino. Each camp in the park has a restaurant, a shop and a filling station. Purchase a map of the park to familiarize yourself with the waterholes in your area, as this is where you will be most likely to encounter the game. Your overnight accommodation at the Halali Rest Camp (similar) on a bed & breakfast basis.

Day 11

After a leisurely breakfast depart from the Namutoni Rest Camp joining the main route heading in a southerly direction towards the mining town of Tsumeb., and then on to Otjiwarongo. From Otjiwarongo continue south along the main route towards the Okonjima Guest farm. The Okonjima Guest farm (translated from the Herero language as "place of the baboons" is situated on the Omboroko Mountains. Afternoon activities include an introduction to work conducted by the AfriCat Foundation. This unique program enables you to learn more about Namibia's most beautiful cats and is also renowned for the excellent opportunities for viewing and photographing both leopard and cheetah. An evening activity to the local viewing hide provides the ideal opportunity to view some of the more elusive Namibian nocturnal mammals. Morning activities while at Okonjima will commence with a light breakfast served at the Lion Lapa before continuing on a guided nature walk. This walk is an interpretive introduction into the lives of the "Bushmen" and provides explanations and examples on fire making, hunting skills and the manufacturing of rope and ornaments. Overnight accommodation will be at the Okonjima Main Camp (similar) on a dinner, bed and breakfast basis only, including 1 activity.

Day 12

After a late breakfast departure on route to Windhoek via the small town of Okahandja. This is one of Namibia's oldest established settlements and is the administrative centre of the Herero-speaking people. Numerous of the former Herero leaders are buried here and an annual procession through the town to the Herero graves commemorate those who died during the wars against the Nama's and Germans. Optional excursions on route include a visit to the open - air wood carving centre and the Herero Graves.

Depart for Windhoek International Airport for your scheduled flight. Please note that check-in times for departures is two hours prior to the flight departure time.

End of Self-drive Safari

Included

All meals & accommodation as per the itinerary
Scheduled activities & excursions as described in the itinerary
Government bed levies
15% VAT

Not Included  

Any items of a personal nature i.e. telephone, laundry & curios Additional meals & beverages
Gratuities & portages
Optional extra excursions & activities
Any items not mentioned in the itinerary
International Flights
Visa fees & applications
Personal Travel & baggage Insurance
Change of Itinerary whilst on tour

Code: ECT09

N$ = Namibian Dollar, which is exactly equivalent to the South African Rand